Use of a Notorious Criminal Group in the Plot to 'Assassinate Masih Ali-Najad'

Investigations by the Azerbaijani section of Radio Free Europe indicate that the Islamic Republic hired a notorious criminal group to conspire to kidnap and murder Masih Ali-Najad. According to these investigations, the suspects pursuing the kidnapping of this political activist opposed to the Islamic Republic were linked to a criminal network known as 'Loto Qulu' or 'Law Thieves'. Nader Salifov, the leader of this group, was murdered mafia-style in a restaurant in Turkey in the summer of 2020, and his brother took on an important role in leading the group. Radio Free Europe's investigations show that the conspirators involved in the kidnapping and murder of Masih Ali-Najad were connected to the Salifov brothers and held high positions within the internal hierarchy of this group. One of these individuals, Raft Amiraf, a citizen of Azerbaijan and Russia residing in Iran, was responsible for directing this plan and is seen in a video alongside Nader Salifov. Other images of him exist next to Namik Salifov, and in another image, he is seen with several members of this group in Karbala. Amiraf was arrested in Uzbekistan while another senior member of this criminal group, Polad Amiraf, was arrested in January 2023 in the Czech Republic. Both were later extradited to the United States. Several photos of Polad Amiraf alongside the Salifov brothers have been seen, and a tattooed star on his shoulders indicates that he is a member of the 'Loto Qulu' group. The U.S. Attorney's Office states that Polad Amiraf and Raft Amiraf planned and executed the transfer of $30,000 in cash to Khalid Mahdiyaf. Mahdiyaf, who was surveilling Masih Ali-Najad's house, used this money to purchase a Kalashnikov for her assassination. The Czech Republic extradited Khalid Mahdiyaf, accused of conspiracy to murder Masih Ali-Najad, to the United States. Mahdiyaf was arrested in July 2022 with a Kalashnikov rifle in front of Ms. Ali-Najad's home. The U.S. Department of Justice announced that he intended to lure Masih Ali-Najad out of her home and assassinate her. Polad Amiraf, Raft Amiraf, and Khalid Mahdiyaf have been charged with attempted murder, conspiracy, and money laundering, which could lead to a combined sentence of approximately 40 years in prison if convicted. The trial of this group is set to begin in March 2025.